Before buying a new or used forklift, there are some things that you must take into account. Consider the following things before making a decision.
Step 1: What exactly are your needs?
Consider the kinds of loads you will be carrying and how heavy they typically are. Think about the maximum lifting height that you would need. Determine whether you would be using the forklift indoors or outdoors, or both. Measure the width of your narrowest aisles and estimate how much maneuvering space there is. What would be the duration of use every day when it comes to hours?
Step 2: Is a used forklift your best alternative?
If you will be using the forklift four hours a day or less, you can likely get away with purchasing used.
Step 3: Fuel options
Electric forklifts are recommended for using indoors because they are quite quiet and produce no exhaust emissions. They have large batteries that could last eight hours before you need to recharge it. The cost of buying electric forklifts is higher, but the operating expenses are lower. On the plus side, they do not require fuel storage area. They also tend to last longer because they have fewer moving components. On the other hand, the time it takes to recharge the battery must be taken into consideration. This could take up to 16 hours, including cooling and recharging. And battery recharging stations may be needed.
Step 4: Tire choice
Forklifts have cushion tires. There are some alternatives when it comes to tires. Several are fabricated of solid rubber, a few are inflated, and some combine qualities of both - solid pneumatic tires. For indoor operation, cushion tires are recommended. For outdoor applications, pneumatic tires are better. Solid pneumatic tires are less likely to be punctured by sharp things or rough terrain so they are the best choice for risky conditions.
Step 5: Consider additional alternatives
When buying a new or used lift truck truck, think about additional alternatives. Look at the various kinds of attachments which you might need to customize your forklift. Check out the safety features and ergonomics of the forklift
Step 6: Evaluate your alternatives
It is a good idea to rent different brands and models and see what suits your needs the best. A good dealer would agree to help you with this. This would ensure that the kind of forklift you ultimately buy is the correct one for your needs. Be sure to consult with your dealer.